More Topics

More Topics

Weather Forecast

MINNESOTA SPORTS ROUNDUP: Tigers take series by scoring winning run in the ninth

Posted on Jun 16, 2014 at 8:43 a.m.

DETROIT, MI -- Detroit's J.D. Martinez lifted a sac-fly in the bottom of the ninth to send the Tigers to a 4-3 win over the Twins at Comerica Park yesterday in the Motor City. Oswaldo Arcia's error one play before allowed Torii Hunter to get to third base and eventually score the winning run. Nick Castellanos drove in two while Victor Martinez doubled in a run for Detroit, which has won three out of four. Rick Porcello pitched seven innings of three-run ball while Joe Nathan picked up the win. Josh Willingham and Kendrys Morales each knocked in a run for Minnesota, which has dropped two straight since a three-game win streak. Ricky Nolasco allowed three runs in five-and-third innings while Casey Fien took the loss. The Twins are at Boston tonight. The Red Sox lost to the Indians yesterday.

______________________

The Minnesota Twins have placed third baseman Trevor Plouffe on the 15-day disabled list for inflammation around his ribs. He suffered the injury while diving on a play in Saturday's game in Detroit. Pedro Florimon was called up from Class AAA Rochester to take Plouffe's spot on the roster.

______________________

Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki continues to lead all National League players in voting for the All-Star Game. "Tulo" has gained over 2.5-million votes and holds a massive lead on the Giants' Brandon Crawford at his position. Pirates outfielder and reigning NL MVP Andrew McCutchen jumped to second at his position in the latest results. He moved past the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton and Brewers' Carlos Gomez. Dodgers' outfielder Yasiel Puig leads the way at the position, while Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt jumped ahead of Los Angeles' Adrian Gonzalez at first base. Balloting concludes July 3rd while the All-Star Game is July 15th at Minnesota's Target Field.

_______________________

Phoenix star Diana Taurasi had 21 points, 11 assists and two blocks in the Phoenix Mercury's 80-72 WNBA win over the Minnesota Lynx on Sunday in Minneapolis. Candice Dupree added 18 points and 10 rebounds for the Mercury, who beat the Lynx for the first time since 2011. The Mercury's skid against the Lynx included 10 regular season and four playoff games. Phoenix was swept by Minnesota in the Western Conference finals in 2011 and 2013. Maya Moore had 14 points for the Lynx, who lost at home for the first time this season. Tan White ended with 13 points. The Mercury led by as many as 23 points, but the Lynx pulled within single digits late in the fourth quarter. Minnesota is at Los Angeles tomorrow night.

________________________

What started in 1999 is still going strong in 2014. The San Antonio Spurs won their fifth NBA title, dominating the Miami Heat 104-87 in Game Five of the NBA Finals at the AT&T Center, getting revenge for last season's series loss. Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while five-time champion Tim Duncan posted 14 points and eight boards. Manu Ginobili contributed 19 points off the bench and Patty Mills hit five three-pointers on his way to 17 points. LeBron James did all he could going off for 31 points, 10 rebounds and five assists as he dropped to 2-and-3 in NBA Finals appearances, with two of the loses coming to Gregg Popovich and the Spurs. Dwyane Wade struggled again, shooting 4-of-12 with 11 points. Chris Bosh was the only other Miami player in double figures with 13 points. This was the Heat's fourth straight finals appearance culminating in a 2-and-2 record.

________________________

"Ghost Is Clear" won the $75-thousand Dark Star Cup at Canterbury Park in Shakopee yesterday. The horse was the favorite to win and was piloted by jockey James Graham. "Bobcat Jim" was the runner-up. "Ice For The Lady" won the $75-thousand dollar Northbound Pride Oaks. The three-year-old Philly was ridden by jockey Seth Martinez. "Stellaris and Graham" was second.

_________________________

Martin Kaymer went wire-to-wire to win the U.S. Open at Pinehurst Number-Two. The German fired a final round 69 to finish at nine-under-par for the tournament. It's Kaymer's second major title after winning the 2010 PGA Championship. The 29-year-old put up back-to-back rounds of 65 on Thursday and Friday before posting a two-over 72 in Saturday's third round. He finished eight strokes ahead of Americans Erik Compton and Rickie Fowler, who shared second place at one-under-par. Keegan Bradley, Jason Day, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Henrik Stenson all tied for fourth at one-over. Phil Mickelson was two-over-par in the final round and finished at seven-over in a tie for 28th place. Tiger Woods did not participate as he continues to recover from back surgery.

__________________________

Jimmie Johnson drove to the checkered flag in Sunday's Quicken Loans 400, earning his first career win at Michigan International Speedway. Johnson's victory gives Hendrick Motorsports five straight wins on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, with three out of the last four races going to the number-48 team. Kevin Harvick finished second to Johnson, followed by Brad Keselowski, Paul Menard and Kasey Kahne. Next week, the Sprint Cup Series heads to Sonoma for road course racing.

__________________________

Lionel Messi scored to highlight a 2-1 victory for Argentina over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday at the FIFA World Cup in Brazil. In other action, Switzerland scored in the 93rd minute to steal a 2-1 victory from Ecuador, while France rolled to a 3-0 victory over Honduras. The United States will get its World Cup journey underway tonight against Ghana.

___________________________

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo will be ready for today's World Cup match against Germany. He has been dealing with knee and thigh issues the last couple weeks. He was a full participant with the club during Sunday's training session in Salvador, Brazil. Portugal's second contest in Group G comes against the United States on Sunday, June 22nd.